2013 - a year in music...

So, it's December. Cold, dark and before you know it, we'll be in 2014.

However, I hope that you agree when I say that 2013 has been a good year in the music world. There have been some fantastic albums released this year, some great gigs, and lots of eventful moments. I'm not sure if you can consider reflecting on the past twelve months as 'nostalgia,' but if you'll indulge me, I'd like to get a little bit misty eyed about some of the best records and musical moments of the year that was 2013. 

On a personal note, there have been some pretty big moments in the year for me. 

I can clearly remember the cold morning in January when I woke up to some news that I couldn't, or didn't believe. Bowie was back. I sat at my computer, listening to, re-listening to, and struggling to believe that the haunting melody of  "Where are we Now?" was actually the man himself making a return to the arena. The beautifully constructed surprise of the whole thing was done with such aplomb, and showed what a huge cultural icon David Bowie actually is - and even forty years after Aladdin Sane, he still has it - whatever It is.

On the gig front, 2013 was a year where I personally ticked off seeing several artists who I'd consider 'heroes.' I don't have many people I really look up to and I've never bought into placing people on pedestals as they tend to, eventually, let you down. This year I managed to see, and in two cases meet, a few people I really would say are heroes.

At Manchester's fabulous Ritz, I attended one of the best gigs at one of the best venues when Nile Rodgers and Chic came to town. A hit packed set list full of feelgood anthems, complete with a guest spot from Mr Johnny Marr who came onstage to Freak Out, was a really memorable occasion. 

O2 Arena from my pre gig cable cart view

In June, Neil Young & Crazy Horse played at the 02 Arena, which was a phenomenal show. Neil Young for me epitomises artistic integrity and his resolute, single minded approach to music is something I really respect. Playing a set that was probably suited more to die hard fans than the casual listener, he still managed to wow the audience, and hearing Neil play Comes A Time may be one of my most memorable gig moments.



That's me, in the corner...

In September, Tired Pony played at the Barbican in London. An unorthodox venue for an unorthodox band, who could probably be considered a 'super-group' with members of Snow Patrol, R.E.M., Belle & Sebastian and the Editors all involved. To sit and hear calming, Americana folk music wash over you in a venue where chamber music wouldn't be out of the question was a really memorable evening. It was subsequently made more memorable when after the show, I met Peter Buck and Mike Mills from R.E.M. (via literally bumping into Harry Styles, but that's another story). As I never got the chance to see R.E.M. live, this was the next best thing, and it was a real thrill to have a brief chat with someone who inspired me to learn to play Mandolin. It was also very nice to have a chat with some great music fans, who may or may not read this article.

October was a surprising month, in that something I never thought I'd ever see materialised from the ether - Morrissey's Autobiography. I'd long since dreamed of hearing what the man himself had to say on his career, and after years of speculation, it was nice to see the day arrive. I enjoyed the book to an extent, and although I felt it lost it's way towards then end, it is still an essential read. Peter Hook performing Power, Corruption and Lies at the Cockpit was a highlight too, if nothing else but to hear the New Order classic Blue Monday, which sounded great.

A sad end to October was the death of Lou Reed. I don't think I've ever really felt sad about someone passing away who I'd never met, so it was a first to feel a genuine sadness for someone who although I'd never met, influenced me. 

Marquee Moon

November let me take in a slightly belated Arctic Monkeys gig, where Alex Turner recovered from a sore throat to croon, girate and strut his way through the bands' fantastic new album. However, their performance was trumped by Television's performance at Manchester Academy the evening before. Their Marquee Moon album is possibly my favourite album of all time, and so to see Tom Verlaine play the classic title track was a real thrill. To then get him to autograph my album a little later was equally as exciting for me in one of very few 'fan boy' moments in my life.


I always get a little bit paranoid and wonder if the album is a dying art form in the era of the MP3, but 2013 proved that there were some excellent releases. I won't be so crass as to rank them in any sort of order, but here are 10 great records from 2013.


Franz Ferdinand - Right Thoughts Right Words Right Action

 Any self respecting teen of my age will hopefully have loved hits such as Take Me Out and Walk Away, and it's nice to see Alex Kapranos et al keep the trademark sound to make some memorable tunes, such as Love Illumination.


Tired Pony - Ghost of The Mountain 

Folky Americana from supergroup Tired Pony was one of my stand out albums, complete with jangly guitars, mandolins and fantastic lyrics from Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody make this essential listening. Lots of great tracks on here, but I Don't Want You As A Ghost is particularly good.



 Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

For me, the anthem of the summer was provided with Daft Punk's awesome Get Lucky, and RAM was a great album. My stand out track was Instant Crush which summed up my own briefly loved up summer to perfection, although the frighteningly catchy guitar hook to Lose Yourself To Dance may well be my current stand out track. 


Arctic Monkeys - AM

I think this is the Arctic Monkeys best record - it's infectious, has swagger and just feels, for want of a better word, sexy. This album really does move the goalposts of what indie bands should be aiming for and is in my opinion a bit of a genre buster, with it's rhythm and basslines that wouldn't sound out of place on a Dr Dre song. I think Knee Socks sums up the sheer coolness of this album.

Johnny Marr - The Messenger

As a huge Johnny Marr fan, it was great to hear him make a solo record that encapsulated everything good about his guitar playing - memorable riffs, elegant chord changes and layered guitar parts. 

 David Bowie - The Next Day

 
David Bowie's comeback was one of the big music stories of the year, and for me, he released his best album since Let's Dance with this record. The cover is brilliant, the songs are strong, and it shows that class is permanent. Haunting piano tracks, straight up rock, and a bit of jungle music thrown in for good measure, it is up there with his finest.

She & Him - Volume 3

I was a huge fan of She & Him's previous two volumes, and the third didn't disappoint. Some lovely vocal harmonies and nice arrangements - and if the thought of Zooey Deschanel singing the parts of Sunday Girl in French isn't alluring to you, then I don't know what is...


Robyn Hitchcock - Love From London

I've always thought that Robyn Hitchcock is one of Britain's most under rated song writers, and this effort reinforced my belief in this.  If you haven't heard this album, I'd recommend that you should...

Paul McCartney - NEW

 I'm quite glad that Macca has got round to releasing a great new record which is his best for years. It's hard to convince people who are used to him being rolled out with his piano to do Hey Jude at national events that he is still a good artist, but just three tracks in and you can tell that the ex-Beatle still has a lot to offer. His choice to work with several produces was a masterstroke, with this riff heavy album being well worth a listen.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Mosquito

I struggle to think of a band who ooze coolness as much as Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Having seen Nick Zinner and Karen O rock the Manchester Apollo with this record, it found new life after that - the opening track Sacrilege is stunning, and the rest that follows is just as good.



I hope 2013 was as good for you as it was for me. What were your stand out tracks and moments? Feel free to share...